The REAL Inconvenient Truth

Statement

The REAL Inconvenient Truth

Currently, the U.S. Debt is estimated at: $9,394,354,380,955.73

Your share of today's public debt is: $30,891.15

Leading the Charge toward Energy Independence

Every August, Sen. Voinovich joins thousands of Ohio families at the fair to celebrate the best of Ohio. This year, however, Sen. Voinovich is deeply concerned about the economic crisis currently hurting our nation. And if you are looking for the root of the pain you don't have to look any further than your home energy bill or your local gas station. Ohio families cannot ignore rising gasoline prices so, this year at the fair, Sen. Voinovich set out to talk to real Ohioans about the impact high gas prices are having on their lives. He is concerned that our way of life and our national security are being threatened by our reliance on foreign sources of energy and our inability to craft a comprehensive energy strategy. That is why he has been calling for a "Second Declaration of Independence," independence from foreign sources of energy, while pushing his colleagues in the Senate to harmonize our energy, economic, environmental and national security needs. This summer he went on a "High Gas Prices Tour" throughout the state to visit with Ohioans and share some of his work on this alarming problem we face as a nation. Over the past month, he has stopped in Cleveland, Canton, Delaware, Mansfield, Marion, Gallipolis and Marysville to share some statistics about the impact high gas prices are having on Ohio families and the economy. The Ohio State Fair was its most recent stop, and there he discussed how Ohio's two leading industries - manufacturing and agriculture - are working together to create Ohio's emerging bioproducts industry. This collaboration, along with other exciting public-private partnerships, will be a win-win for Ohio and help the state become an undisputed leader in the innovation of materials from renewable resources.

Helping Ohio Companies Create Jobs

Ever since he left the governor's office, Sen. Voinovich has watched thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs leave the great state of Ohio, and families have been left in crisis. He has been working hard in Washington trying figure out new ways to help state officials reverse that trend. Recently, he achieved a big win for Ohio businesses when President Bush signed into law an amendment Sen. Voinovich authored that promises to help struggling businesses make new investments, expand operations and create jobs. The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 included his amendment to provide tax relief to the very companies that are hurting the most in Ohio. It allows companies operating at a loss the option of claiming their accumulated alternative minimum tax and research and development tax credits if they use the funds to make new capital investments and create new jobs. But time is running out - this provision expires at the end of 2008 and Sen. Voinovich hopes that every eligible company takes advantage of it. While this is indeed a big win, Sen. Voinovich knows our work is far from done and he is pursuing even more initiatives to improve the competitiveness of U.S. and Ohio businesses. This work is in the areas of corporate tax reform, energy independence, Intellectual Property rights and workforce development. He is very concerned about our country and the ability of our businesses to compete in a global economy and will continue to work hard to build an infrastructure of competitiveness so that Ohio businesses can prosper and create jobs for hardworking Ohioans.

Ensuring Smooth, Safe Travel

Sen. Voinovich has long encouraged the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the Department of State, to increase public awareness campaigns and outreach regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) so travelers understand the initiative and are prepared with the documents they need at their time of travel. Recently, the senator hosted a town hall meeting at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on implementation of WHTI. As a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, Sen. Voinovich has played a leading role in efforts to ensure the smooth implementation of WHTI. WHTI requires travelers to present a document when flying internationally and will require everyone to present a document when entering the United States at land and sea ports of entry starting June 1, 2009. This rule will affect everyone, including those who cross the northern border frequently for business and leisure. Even though WHTI will inevitably bring logistical challenges, Sen. Voinovich believes that the rule is important for our national security, and he encourages Ohioans to apply now for a WHTI-compliant document if they anticipate the need to visit Canada or another foreign country and re-enter the United States on or after June 1, 2009. These include passports, passport cards, NEXUS cards and enhanced drivers' licenses. More information on these documents and WTHI is available at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html and http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/. Last year, Sen. Voinovich worked with the Department of State to alleviate the passport backlog resulting from implementation of WHTI for air travel. The senator's casework office assisted with more than 1,200 passport cases and helped many families avoid losing money and missing long-planned international trips.

Working to Protect Great Lakes Beaches

This week, Sen. Voinovich held a news conference at Huntington Beach in Bay Village, Ohio on the Beach Protection Act of 2008 - legislation he introduced earlier this year to increase grants to states for the development and implementation of programs focused on remediating contamination sources. This is a provision not currently covered under the original BEACH Act, which Sen. Voinovich's bill would strengthen. His bill also requires stronger beach water quality testing and public notification standards so beachgoers are better informed about the safety of their beaches. A report released in July by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that Ohio ranked second among all states that have coastal beaches in the percentage of water samples that exceed accepted bacteria levels, including E. coli. Exposure to E. coli can lead to gastroenteritis, dysentery, hepatitis and other illnesses. The environmental groups attribute the bacteria levels to outdated and overwhelmed sewage and water treatment systems. Under the reintroduced BEACH Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is required to work with states to ensure they use the latest science to sample and test beach waters to protect the public's health. The law also helps states set up comprehensive monitoring and notification programs in order to provide up-to-date information on the condition of all public beaches. Additionally, Sen. Voinovich's legislation doubles the authorized grant funding to states from $30 million to $60 million annually through 2012. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee - of which Sen. Voinovich is a member - will have oversight over the bill which will help our beaches remain healthy and safe and will protect them from the detrimental effects of pollution and sewage contamination after flooding or heavy rainfall.

Honoring the Legacy of Rep. Gillmor

Recently, Sen. Voinovich attended a ceremony at the post office in Tiffin, Ohio, which was named in honor of U.S. Representative Paul E. Gillmor. After his untimely passing in September 2007, Sen. Voinovich wanted to find a way to honor the legacy of the committed and hard-working legislator for Ohio's 5th Congressional District. In October, Sen. Voinovich introduced legislation to name the post office in Tiffin after Rep. Gillmor. The bill was signed into law by President Bush two months later. Not far from his home town of Old Fort, Ohio, the city of Tiffin was chosen in concurrence with the wishes of his wife, Karen Gillmor. Also, in his commitment to serve all of Ohio's citizens, Sen. Voinovich invited service academy applicants from Ohio's 5th district to contact his office for nominations following Rep. Gillmor's passing. As a long-time friend and colleague, Sen. Voinovich was committed to ensuring his constituency was not deprived of the opportunity to attend a service academy and further serve our country while the office was vacant.

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